|
Post by Carrow on Jan 24, 2010 12:44:22 GMT -5
Cerinus listened to Ladorak's words, smiling fit to burst as the kind ermine's 'plan' to get him aboard Agamemnon was outlined. He saluted smartly, slight tears of joy visible in his eyes. "Yes, sir. I understand perfectly. I'm willing to put everything I have into this. All you'll ever need to do is tell me what needs doing, and I'll do it to the best of my ability. Thank you, sir."
The mouse was growing more confident about this by the second; Ladorak's gentle and reassuring hold on his paw was helping him further. "Er, if you'd excuse me for a moment, sir -- not that I have to run it by any other creature, but I would rather like my carer to meet you. I'm sure she'll be interested in hearing what you have to say. I'll see you in a bit, sir. Might, er, need to have another word in private before the night's through."
Removing his small paw from Ladorak's, the mouse went off, a sense of elation the likes of which he had never known before burning in his chest. He was still grinning from ear to ear. Archie knew that the mouse would do anything to be happy, and had been wondering where he had gotten to for a while, though was sure that the rodent hadn't gotten into any difficulty. It was true that he hadn't, but he had just missed doing so by a whisker - that whole business with Spender. If she'd known, the weasel, who could be more than a little over-protective at times, would have frog-marched her charge right back to his home, opportunity or not.
Cerinus was by her side before she knew it, tugging gently on her paw. "Er, Archie?," he said softly. Archie bent down and patted the mouse on the forehead, smiling at him. "Great seasons! You seem to have been busy, mister Apodemus. How's it been going for you? I can tell you're rather pleased about something. Wait - don't tell me... so, it's happened?," she asked rhetorically, well able to put two and two together. The vigorous nod that followed from the young mouse told her all.
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jan 24, 2010 16:31:58 GMT -5
Nodding, Ladorak let Cerinus wander off to talk to his guardian. Good....maybe this was exactly what the lad needed. Standing up now to watch him go, Ladorak looked at Caden, who seemed to be conversing with the female beech marten. Just who was she, and why was she here? "Fugate." he turned around now, looking at a white lightning scar running down the face of a least weasel behind him.
"Jal Sylver. There you are. Was wondering when you would pop up." Ladorak commented, smiling slightly now at his friend.
"Indeed. The weasel sleuth in the flesh." he doffed his hat, and presents his best leg, bowing at the waist. Ladorak returned the gesture with a nod. "Congratulations Post Captain. It is what you long wanted isn't it?" Monty asked the jack.
"Yes....a long time coming. Years in fact. But I've finally made it. A 64 gunner to boot. Agamemnon is known for being swift, and still able to dish out a beating. I'll settle for her alright. She's well known among the fleet. Won't blend in as easily like the whole host of 74s out there." Nodding as he listened to what Ladorak had to say, the weasel offered a courteous smile.
"You know...I have come here tonight to ask you for employment. All of my friends it seems are off and joining the Navy. Why even Maudlin and Scruff stated they wish to be at sea. Well...more like Scruff wants to, Maudlin of course is getting roped into joining. So with everyone I know shipping out, I figured why not offer my services to my good friend Jal Fugate? You're a Captain now, and if you could find room to accommodate me, I would be most grateful."
Ladorak only gave Monty a weird look. "You? In the Navy? But you're a..."
"Tut! A gentlemammal? What? So we can't go to sea either? Look Fugate, I don't need the money, you know that. What I need is a sense of adventure! Daring do on the high seas! I mean heck, you could even get Scruff and Maudlin with you as well if you wanted." Ladorak pondered this a moment. Monty wanting to join up? That was unusual. What was he playing at here?
"Just what would you do?"
"Do? Why anything you wanted me to! I was looking at the positions on a ship, and I was figuring maybe a Boatswain or Master at Arms position might suit me best, but I figure we can talk about that later eh? Is Kasal going to be serving as Surgeon?" the weasel asked.
"Kasal? Oh! Yes....probably so. I'll have to ask him about it though. Don't see him here...but that's not a surprise. Look....you caught me a bit off guard..." Ladorak trailed off.
"Alright, alright, I'll come clean." Monty admitted, moving in closer to Ladorak now in order to speak more...conspiratorially. "Look...there is another reason I would like to join. It's not a pleasure cruise by any means, I realize that. You see, I want to pursue a certain...jill lemming. She's purchased tickets to Calgary, and will be sailing in Spring. I'm curious as to what she's up to, and well, your squadron will be heading into the Cobalt Sea. I figure I work for you, do your bidding, and in return, if we do make landfall at Calgary, I can investigate things for myself.....in the time provided of course. I'll be back aboard the minute you need me and serve my duration." he said reassuringly.
Jill lemming? Surely he didn't mean Sveltlana Bogginski? He was still after her? Oh Monty, Monty, Monty. Always lusting after that jill....one of these days it would get him killed. Though of course, he was after her not because of but rather in spite of his lust. She was normally up to no good, so maybe this was for the best. "Fine" he relented. "But you fall under my command, and may not in fact be able to disembark when you need to, is that clear? Joining me comes with a price Jal Sylver."
"Of course. I figured that. I'll be willing to play the game, and happy to be aboard sir!" he said, giving the ermine a smart salute.
"Yeah, yeah, we'll talk about this later." Ladorak said, giving him a sideways glance. Turning back to Caden and company, Ladorak waited for Carrow's return.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Jan 24, 2010 17:05:50 GMT -5
When he had finished, Archie broke out into a smile. Hugging the young mouse slightly, she spoke softly into his ear. "Well done, Cerinus. I'm quite proud of you, you know. It's obvious that you've been rather determined about doing this, and far be it from me to stop you. In fact, I hope you have a good time out on the high seas, young'un. It will be perilous, and fraught with all kinds of danger, but enjoyable all the same, I'm sure."
"Certainly seems that way to me!," the rodent replied brightly. "I've rather been looking forward to it, and you will NOT believe just how nice a creature I'll be sailing with. The kindest, most gentle stoat that ever walked the earth."
"I think I may know of whom you are speaking," Jis Mustela commented, smiling. "I spotted him earlier. Quite hard to miss: rather large ermine, right?"
"Got it in one. I'd rather like you to meet him," he suggested, smiling warmly at her. "Here, follow me." So saying, Cerinus set off back to Ladorak. He knew that his weasel guardian would have questions to ask, but it wasn't that she was worried, as such; more that the mustelid was intensely curious about this whole thing. Cerinus hsd had to grow up awfully fast, though, and he's still as nervous and self-doubting as ever. I just hope he'll be all right...
|
|
|
Post by bookity101 on Jan 24, 2010 20:34:47 GMT -5
Luxe smiled as he watched Ladorak get his command, the ermine was nearly bursting his buttons.Luxe watched as he scurried off to find Caden, deciding to stay back a bit, Luxe followed, not wanting to interrupt any thing that was said. He nodded to Jal Sylver as the detective walked over, choosing to remain silent while the two Jal's talked.
***
Elle smiled as Ladorak came, nearly bounding out of joy. She had seen the looks on his face and it reminded her of how happy her own dad had been when he got his own ship, though his had only been a sailing ship, but it was his pride and joy for awhile. Then he and mom died... but that was a memory for a different time.
Elle dipped a slight curtsy to the older jack "You seem pleased about your post Sir." She said, smiling brightly. She turned to Caden, still listening with half an ear to Ladorak... it sounded like SO much fun... Elle realized Caden was asking her a question, she turned towards him fully in a rustle of skirts.
"Why I'm I here?" She paused, not really wanting to tell him the full reason she was here as it involved being dragged by the ear to out the door.
"Well my Aunt loves the social scene, and" I'm her ticket in .. "she dragged me along." Elle smiled and rolled her eye's while fondling her still aching ear lobe.
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jan 24, 2010 23:38:23 GMT -5
Monty wandered by himself for a bit, bidding Ladorak adieu. Oh he'd get on board. He had to after all. No way was Fugate going to ship out for possibly years and leave him behind! Stealing all the fun and glory like that...no sir. Looking at Luxe, he recognized the blacksmith from last year. Giving him a nod, Monty positioned himself close to the buffet table, amusing himself by observing passing guests.
Caden too, saw Luxe off by himself, though not too far away. Offering him a small wave, he continued speaking with Elle. "Aw, so really all it is is just you getting dragged along by your aunt? That doesn't sound like any fun. Too bad you can't join us. Well I mean, I guess you could, but it would be hard getting an actual job. Do you like the sea?" he asked, shoving his paws in his pockets. Unlike Spender, the marten actually did wear pants.
"More specifically." he went on, "do you like being on ships, or have you ever sailed for that matter?" he asked, curious as to this young jill's experience about being on the water. What sort of background did she have? Being a Lady meant she had some sort of title to her name. Baroness, Countess, Duchess, Viscountess, Marchioness, something along those lines. It was clear she was way above his league, but he was still hoping that perhaps all was not lost and that he could somehow keep in contact with her.
Ladorak's features brightened when he saw the approaching jill with her ward. "Ah! You must be this dibbun's guardian. I'm Post Captain Ladorak Fugate, a pleasure." he removed his bicorn officer's hat, doffing it to her and turning a leg as he did the customary jack's bow. "I...assume you wanted to meet the commanding officer that your ward will be serving under." he said, placing his hat under his arm, the black, angular tip looking quite sleek as it jutted out.
|
|
|
Post by Carrow on Jan 25, 2010 15:22:01 GMT -5
Archia's eyes shone as Ladorak came into view. Ah, yes, here was a creature who seemed well capable of taking care of her charge. The ermine definitely looked like he was used to dealing with younger creatures, and he seemed to have a calm and immensely likeable air about him. And, she thought, we haven't even met yet!
To say that Archie was in the lead on her way over to Ladorak would have been a lie. Rather, the tremendously excited Cerinus was heading back over to the tall mustelid with his carer in tow! He really couldn't wait for her to meet him, it seemed. The charming Post Captain was happy to take the young mouse under his tail, so the weasel jill had been told.
"Hello there, sir!," she exclaimed, swishing her tail in a contented manner. She'd been won over in a flash. All Ladorak had had to do was bow and doff his cap, and speak to her in his most charming voice. Her hopes for her ward had been well founded.
"Well, yes, of course I did once Carrow told me the news," Archie replied, ruffling the rodent's ears good-naturedly as she used his nickname. "But also because I was rather looking forward to meeting you anyways. I couldn't help but spot you earlier on, and, well, this is the most fortunate of coincidences. My name's Archia Mustela," she said, offering the ermine her paw, "though you can call me Archie - most creatures do.
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jan 25, 2010 16:49:35 GMT -5
Ladorak had to admit that the straight forwardness of this jill caught him a tad off guard. Had she...noticed him because he was attractive, noticeable, or just because he had walked by her? Either way she was very friendly, and though he had to be careful about who he flirted with, the ermine nevertheless kept his good manners up.
"Archie it is then." He said, taking her offered paw and kissing it, as jacks did not shake jills' paws. Bringing his snout back up, he released her paw and smiled down at Carrow. "My, my, I must say your ward seems quite eager to join me at sea. Do you live in Muggidrear? If so I'll be moving to Muggidrear myself, probably tonight in fact, just to ensure that I'll be near the Admiralty offices from now on. I'll be hosting training sessions too, just so that the landjacks don't go in completely blind before stepping paw aboard a ship-of-the-line."
He looked down at Carrow again to make sure the mouse was listening, but he was pretty sure the mouse was all ears....big ears that was, bigger than Caden's. "If you could provide me with your address, I'll send word to you about details for the training sessions. Oh yes! As for you Cerinus, I suggest getting yourself down to the Admiralty offices as soon as you can and enlist. Tell them you'll want to be placed aboard the Agamemnon."
He was looking at the mouse for the relaying of this information, his bespectacled green eyes shining now with a new kind of light that had lain dormant all the years he had spent on land. "Now then Jis..." he raised his eyes back to the jill least weasel. "I....expect you may have some questions for me. Such as what life will be like, what we can expect at sea, those sorts of things....I know it can be a major step for a mother or guardian to bid farewell to her charge. We can be years at sea after all, so I know this is a big step for both yourself and Master Apodemus."
He searched her eyes, knowing that was probably the reason she had come over here. She did seem quite taken with him though, and very trusting. Why this was, Ladorak couldn't say. Perhaps his personality. He did try to be as warm as he could around dibbuns. They were a sort of weak point for him after all. The ermine awaited any questions she may have, or if not then any further words from the jill.
|
|
|
Post by bookity101 on Jan 25, 2010 20:25:43 GMT -5
Elle glanced over to where Caden had directed a small wave towards a stoat... a really big stoat, at least from her perspective, the big stoat returned the wave with a nod, he seemed to be nursing a cup of something. Elle shrugged her shoulders slightly, not everybeast lived for the social scene, and that stoat seemed perfectly content to look like her was doing something.
Elle listened to Caden go on about the navy. "Actually Caden, I don't think they let females in the Welkin navy." Maybe they did other places, but here girls were supposed to stay home, and lead boring lives.... Elle looked up from fiddling with her skirts, trying to see if some of that punch from earlier had spilled on her dress.
"Have I ever sailed?" She tossed her hair over a shoulder for the tenth time. She wanted to have it up, but Aunt Bera said she was still to young for that. She sighed, "Yes, I've been sailing before. It was the favorite thing for my parents to do when we were together." She smiled, not really looking at Caden anymore. "I remember when we went sailing for my sixth birthday. It was the best thing ever, the sails and the seagulls..." Elle's smile faded a bit, "What made it best is the fact that that's my happiest memory with my parents before they died.. Then came Aunt Screechy and Uncle Pushover...." Her voice had grown soft, trailing down to almost nothing as she lapsed into a slightly bitter silence. It didn't help that her Aunt had never fully explained how her parents had died, only told her they died sailing while on a cruise that was apparently 'more important than their own daughter'... In reality they had died on their way back from a visit to Elle's grandfathers estate when got sick Elle with the measles, and were on their way back when the ship was blown off course. Elle had been the only survivor.
Elle looked back over at Caden, "Oh I'm sorry Caden, I got lost there for a minute." She looked around again, checking for Aunt Bera. "What are you going to be doing once you get to sea?"
|
|
|
Post by Ladorak on Jan 26, 2010 0:48:36 GMT -5
Caden listened to Elle speak, forming a vivid scene in his mind now as he pictured her as an even younger kit than she was now, back when she was sailing with her family. At least she had memories like that. He couldn't clearly remember being at sea, and was glad that this beech jill had memories like that.
He listened, spellbound by the imagery. It was a scene of innocence, played out in his mind over and over again. Times he wished he had...but just picturing her was enough for him. It brought a smile to his features as she wove the image for him.
"No it's alright." he said, shaking his head, rather enraptured by her speaking. "I was enjoying it. Me? Once I go to sea? Well I'll be a landjack at first, as I haven't had experience on a ship before, but once I make seajack I'll be up in the rigging when we're sailing and working as part of a gun crew in combat. I'll be shooting to get a Petty Officer's rank though, and try and apprentice for a certain post in the Warrant Officers' level. After I get enough years under me, I'll be trying to take my Lieutenant's exam....try and make Ladorak....my guardian....proud." he said, nodding. "It's hard to pass the exam, I'll be studying a lot for it in my downtime. I want to start early and just prepare for it over the years. So yeah...stuff like that." he said, shifting his weight a bit and looking from her to the floor.
"I could write to you a lot if you wanted, let you know how it's going. I think they let jills onboard warships though....but mostly as guests. You're right about females not holding employment. Doesn't mean you can't come though" he said, giving her a grin now. But wait! What was he saying!? A warship was no place for a jill! What if she got hurt? That was rather a reckless thing for him to say, but he only realized it after he had said it.
"A-anyway!" he stuttered. "I rather liked hearing your story." he finished, looking bashfully down at the floor once again.
|
|
|
Post by bookity101 on Jan 26, 2010 12:23:23 GMT -5
Elle smiled at his description of how he was going to work his way to the top, sounding like her vague memories of how her dad had talked about shipping lanes and companies. She turned her grin to him, "I'm sure you'll make him proud of you if you do all that, as long as you're doing your best." Elle drew back a little when he mentioned her lapse down memory lane.
"Oh you did, did you." She arched an eyebrow at him, smiling at him, slightly distracted. Something he had said was niggling in the back of her mind about he had said, about jill's coming on board... Maybe, no that was silly. Elle glanced over at Ladorak, he was busy talking to Cerinus and his guardian,so he wouldn't hear her... no better not, it was a silly idea, tempting but silly idea.
"So what about you Caden," she said, trying to distract herself from the idea forming in her mind. "I told you my story," Well most of it... "Whats yours?" ****
Luxe looked at the bottom of his cup, no longer could he stand around looking like he was doing something because Ladorak was obviously occupied with Archia, and his cup was empty. Not a good combination in a room that was already stifling to him. Making his way over the snaks table, he saw Monty, who was having a lot of fun it seemed just watching beasts. Maybe that could be his way out of talking to others, let some who likes to talk, talk to him, and teach him a thing or two about observing in the process.
"Hello Jal Sylver" Luxe said as he came up beside the weasel. "Seen anything interesting lately?" Luxe refilled his punch glass ad stood back a little so the snack tray's were in easy reach.
|
|